Verizon Acquires All Tech from VR Startup Jaunt XR

Jaunt XR, a startup focused on producing
augmented reality applications, announced recently that Verizon acquired all of
the company’s tech assets. The statement pointedly leaves out any mention of an
acquisition of the company itself by Verizon. Jaunt XR failed to mention
whether it would continue operations on its own. After the purchase, they don’t
have much tech left in their possession. Even if they did manage to go ahead as
an independent company, they might find it challenging to compete in the
industry.

Jaunt XR was initially founded in 2013 to
develop tech to record and deliver VR video. The company’s first production was
a 360-degree VR camera. In late 2018, however, the company realized the expanded
possibilities in the world of augmented reality. They shifted focus to this
field, attempting to adapt their tech to the new industry they tasked
themselves with infiltrating.

Verizon’s Investment in AR and VR is Growing

Verizon has been responsible for producing
both AR and VR content for quite a while. In 2016, it bought another VR company
named RYOT. The convoluted acquisition was actually from RYOT being acquired by
AOL, who Verizon then obtained, and consolidated into Verizon Media. To date, the
technology from RYOT has been used to help Verizon produce and distribute
augmented reality advertising to consumers.

Verizon isn’t done yet, since last year the
company unveiled plans to produce a studio that focuses on immersive
entertainment. Termed RYOT Innovation Studio, the company intends to develop
and sell immersive entertainment utilizing its 5G network to provide fast
transfer rates and connection stability. Jaunt’s tech definitely fits into this
long-term plan of Verizon’s. However, it’s unlikely that the company itself
will remain an independent entity after the telecom giant finished
cannibalizing them. It seems as though Verizon has concluded that it just needs
to buy the milk, even if the cow dies of starvation.